Moose Relaxing

Dear Elzora,
Just an update regarding the moose. They must have decided that they like us!! There is one right outside your bedroom window relaxing as the evening approaches. I wish that they would stay forever. They are so beautiful. You had a good day today and daddy will be home from work soon. Thank you for calling me mamma a couple of times today. I like it so much more than when you call me Jenna.
I love you.
Love,
Mommy

Holy Moose!!!

Dear Elzora,
I can not believe it!!! Finally after 2 years of living in Sweden and driving around on numerous moose safaris, a mama and baby moose appeared in our very own backyard this morning at 10am. I am still shaking. You loved it and just kept yelling "Papa! Papa! Papa!." I hope I don't go into labor. The coolest part was that Erica and Molly were here with us and we were all so excited. I wish Papa Andreas could have been here with us!!
Love,
Mommy

Pajama Day!!

Dear Elzora,
Today is Monday and we are not going to get out of our pajamas all day!! It feels wonderful to just take it easy and relax and be together. This week you will go to The Ladybug on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9-11. It is going very, very well and you are going to be very happy there. Last week you did your first 2 paintings at school, and I am, of course, completely impressed by your artistic ability. You have been coloring with crayons and pens for some time now and you've also done some experimenting with clay. Ethel said that when you saw one of the other children painting she asked if you would like to try and you said clearly "Ja!" You amaze me every day and I fall more and more in love with you by the minute.

You have 6 teeth coming in right now, and you are handling it SO well. A couple of nights you've woken up crying, but you went right back to sleep after realizing that I was there with you and everything was okay. It must be so painful for you. I'm sorry. You like it when I massage your gums, but sometimes you try to bite me and then you laugh really hard. Very funny, Elzora!!

Yesterday was February 22nd and the new baby is due to arrive March 22nd. Last week I had to have an extra ultrasound to make sure the baby was head down. It seems that your little brother or sister is in position. You don't like it when mommy has to go to the midwife and I try to schedule things so that you can be with Farmor, but this week we have to go on Thursday at 3pm and Farmor Bojan will be working. I am sorry that it scares you so much. Just know that mommy is fine and that it will soon be over and you will be a big sister. I know it's going to be a big change for you, but I only have positive thoughts about the baby coming.

I would like to write more but you are super stinky and I need to go down and change your diaper!!

I love you.

Love,
Mommy

Åke Pulka!!!

Dear Elzora,

Today after your morning välling I took you out for a little cruise on the little girl sled you got for Christmas from Linda, Morgan and Siri. You LOVED it and you didn't even seem to mind that you fell off twice. I think you actually enjoyed having the cold snow on your cute little face. We won't tell anyone that you were wearing your pajamas under your snowsuit. Sorry, I can be a lazy mommy sometimes.

Actually your Aunt Linda just called and asked if you wanted to go out with them again this afternoon to have some more snowy adventures. We will see how you are feeling after you wake up from your nap.

Love,
Mommy

Lovely Liisa

Dear Elzora,
Here is a picture of your Liisa 18 weeks pregnant and vacationing with Uncle Jer on the Big Island of Hawai'i. This picture was taken by Jer at Punalu'u Beach, also known as Black Sands Beach. Doesn't she look radiant?
We love Liisa and we can't wait for the littlest Duggan to make his appearance.
Below is a picture of the little guy from his 20 week ultrasound.
Mommy is very much in love with him already.

Love,
Mommy

PS I promise that one day we will all vacation together on the Big Island. Sushi burritos!!

First Week at The Lady Bug (Nyckelpigan)

Dear Elzora,

Just a quick not to let you know that this week we are spending one hour a day at your new preschool, Nyckelpigan. In Swedish this process is referred to as "inskolning" and this means that for 2 weeks you will only go one hour a day to the school. The idea is that I sit in the corner and observe you while you play and then eventually I will leave during that one hour. Right now you want me to play with you for some of the time and this is just fine, too.

The first day was a little strange for you with a new place and so many other small children, but you love to play and you have already made some new friends. You have a very special friend, Tuva. She is 2 years old and she can already say your name and today when we left she was helping you get ready and was telling you that you could go home and see your pappa. She is the sweetest little thing. So kind. You even said her name yesterday!! And when we left today you didn't want to get your outside clothes on. You just wanted to sit by the door. Then of course you fell asleep as soon as we began our short walk back home through the freshly fallen snow.

Mommy has to say a special thank you to Ethel for making this process so positive for us. I love going to the school everyday. And also to Erica and Molly for sitting with you last Friday when mamma and pappa had a meeting with Ethel about you and the school.

The plan is that you will attend Nyckelpigan Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 7 a.m. until around 12. Then you will come home and be with mommy. I miss you already.

You are as cute as a little lady bug.

Love,

Mommy